Nailless bridge or sidewalk



v .UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DANIEL S. COLE, OF LITCHFIELD, MINNESOTA.

NAILLESS BRIDGE OR SIDEWALK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 416,570, dated December 3, 1889. Application filed February 4, 1889. Renewed August 26, 1889. Serial No. 321,937. (No model.)

To all whmn it may concern.-

Be it known that I, DANIEL S. COLE, of

I Litchfield, in the county of Meeker and State of Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Nailless Bridges or Sidewalks, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide a bridge or sidewalk which shall be constructed without nails. and from which any worn or broken part can be removed readily and a new part substituted.

My invention consists, generally, in the 0011- struction and combination hereinafter described, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, Figure 1 is a plan view of a portion of my improved sidewalk or bridge-floor. Fig. 2 is across-section and partial longitudinal section of a connecting sidewalk. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section on line 00 a; of Fig. 1. l

The structure comprises, preferably, a metallic frame fitted with a wooden floor.

In the drawings,1 1 are the side stringers, and 3 3 the stringers underneath the floor of the structure. These stringers are preferbly metallic, and may be made of any suitable or convenient length and width; and are bolted or otherwise firmly joined end to end as laid. I prefer to unite the side stringers together by means of the plate 9, the top of the stringers at the end being cut away, so as to form a recess 11 to receive the plate, which is then secured to each stringer, thus forming a strong and solid union. This construction also furnishes a convenient means of fitting-the floor-pieces in place, as hereinafter described.

Along the inner side of the side stringers and near the top is provided the groove 13, adapted to receive and hold the ends of the floor pieces or planks. secured together parallel to each other and at suitable distances from each other by means .of the bars or rods 5. These are preferably fiat metallic bars passing through corresponding holes in the stringers 3 3, and are provided with threaded ends to receive the nuts 15, the bars having suitable shoulders to The stringers are press against the inner face of the side stringers, so as to hold the stringers at the proper distance apart, while the nuts 15, being screwed against the outerface of the side stringers, serve to hold the structure firmly together.

The floor is preferably constructed of narrow planks or scantling 7, of suitable length, arranged, preferably, at right angles to the stringers, with their ends fitted into the grooves of the side stringers and resting upon the stringers 3 3. These planks are inserted into the frame by removing .the plates 9, when they can be placed transversely of the stringers and inserted into the grooves and slid longitudinally of the stringers into their proper place;

In case a plank becomes broken or worn out its parts can be taken out, one of the plates 9 nearest to it detached, the sound planks between crowded along to fill the vacancy, and a new plank inserted through the recess 11. In a similar manner the whole floor can be removed when worn out and a new one substituted.

In construction the stringers are preferaably bedded or fixed on suitable supports, the stringers 3 3 bolted together, and the crossbars 5 bolted in place. The planks are then fitted into place for each length and the plates 9 secured in place.

In constructing a sidewalk around a streetcorner the parts maybe bolted or secured together at the corner in any other suitable manner.

I claim as my invention 1. The combination, with the stringers 1 1, having grooves 13, of the stringers 3 3, arranged between the stringers 1 1, the transverse bars 5, uniting said stringers, and the planks 7, arranged in said groove 13 and extending transversely of said stringers, substantially as described.

2. In a bridge or sidewalk, the combination of a series of transverse planks, longitudinal stringers supporting said planks, grooves receiving the ends of said planks, and crossbars securing said stringers together, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

3. In a bridge or sidewalk, the combination of stringers 1 1, having grooves 13, stringers 3, arranged between said stringers 1 1, bars 5 5, securing said stringers together, the removable plates 9, and the planks 7, substantially as described.

4. In a bridge 01' sidewalk, the combination, with the planks forming the floor of the same, of supp0rting-stringers provided with grooves to receive and secure the ends of the planks, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set [0 my hand this 23d day of January, 1889.

DANIEL S. COLE.

In presence of- THOMAS MILTON, ED. HUNT. 

